Bulova 1950 Duo Wind

Submitted by JP on January 28, 2013 - 9:09pm
Manufacture Year
1950
Movement Model
11AAC
Movement Jewels
17
Movement Serial No.
-
Case Serial No.
-
Case shape
Round
Case color
Yellow
Case Manufacturer
Bulova
Crystal details
30mm
Gender
Mens
Watch Description

I guessed at the year based on movement model. Wondering about this case, did Bulova produce salesmans display watches, or is this possibly a marriage? Case diameter about 33mm, case back appears to be base metal or similar composition, with acrylic crystal. Movement has small 48 marking on winding rotor, and either BXW or 8XW on balance bridge. Only markings I can find.

1948 Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova watch
Bulova Watch
Bulova Watch
Reverend Rob
Posted January 30, 2013 - 7:51am

Duo Wind. However, either this is an early prototype, possibly not intended for sale, or it has been modded. This is extremely common in the pocket watch world, where bezels are added as casebacks. It is possible that, being an early Duo-Wind, someone at Bulova had this made to pass around the boardroom to show their first bi-directional autowinding watch. I'm inclined to think it is more likely that someone modified it, however.

DarHin
Posted January 30, 2013 - 1:46pm

The owner states there are no markings on the case. Not Bulova.

Also, I'm not sure the subject watch's lugs match the ad posted by Jerin anyway.

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted January 31, 2013 - 7:15am

1948 is too early for the 11AAC

bobbee
Posted January 31, 2013 - 7:29am

11 AAC has 48 marking.

mybulova_admin
Posted February 1, 2013 - 3:51am

Regardless of the back...Duo Wind for me.

William Smith
Posted February 1, 2013 - 6:26am

so...again.  What year do we use. Only year marking is 48 on movement.  Maybe Rev Robs theory is good, and it's a 48 duowind mvent that wasn't advertised as such till 1949/50.  There could be earlier Duo Wind ads we dont have yet too.
 

FifthAvenueRes…
Posted February 2, 2013 - 6:50am

I'd like to see a better shot of the '48 datecode, as stated prior 1948 is too early for the 11AAC.

ads are Dated 1950

 

William Smith
Posted February 2, 2013 - 4:02pm

PM send to JustGary to confirm "48" on rotor.  Fifth and Rev Rob have pointed out this bidirectional bulova movement is based on 415 Felsa, w/ the Bidynator technology- w/ Ranfft listing production of this Felsa as early as 1942.  Apparently same technology also used in Bulova 10AU and 9AB (and maybe other bulova movements).

Our movement database indicates the earliest examples of 11AAC (10AU & 9AB) are from 1950.  Ranfft doesn't list any of these three movements.  Lisa's movement database indicates start date of 1950 for the 10AU and 9AB and 1955 for the 11ACC. 

If "48" date code is confirmed on subject rotor, and the "clear back" is assumed to be original, maybe this is an early example "salesman sample" used by Bulova to show their pending rollout of the movement and it's technology....and their pending release of the Duo Wind in 1950.

The words "Duo Wind" are not seen on the subject watch dial.  Most (if not all) of the other "duo wind" bulova of 1950 had these words on dial. Thayer was a little later, and the Duo Wind words were dropped after a couple years (I think we see selfwinding or maybe automatic- I dont remember).  Perhaps in 1948, Bulova hadn't come up with the possible model name Duo Wind, so that's why we don't see it on the dial of subject watch?

Or this watch is a 1948 non-conforming- housing an 11AAC in what looks like a 1950 Duo Wind case.

Or the "48" symbol JustGary notes on the rotor is actually an LO.

JustGary
Posted February 2, 2013 - 4:49pm

Hi, I added 2 more somewhat better pics, I hope they are helpful to the group. I tried several different lightings, but these pics still aren't as crisp as I had hoped. Perhaps someone here can work some photo magic.

Gary

bobbee
Posted February 2, 2013 - 6:13pm

There ya go, 11 AAC and 48 on the rotor.
1948 11 AAC confirmed, another first for this watch.